Theater switchboard apparatus



Filed Nov. 2, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR JamesCMaaeK.

ATTORNEY Aug.l6, 1932. J. c. MASEK THEATER SWITCHBOARD APEARATUS Fi ged N'ovl 2. 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 1 James CMas/C ATT RNEY Aug. 16, 1932.

Filed Nov. 2. 192.7 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Jbmes C Mosek 7 AfTORNEY Aug. 16, 1932. J. c. MASEK THEATER SWITCHBOARD APPARATUS Filed Nov. 2, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR J'ames GMoaeA.

AT'ToBNEY Aug. 16, 1932. c, MAsEK 1,872,156

THEATER SWITCHBOARD APPARATUS Filed rm. 2, 1927 5 Sheets-Shet 5 INVENTO R J0me5C/lh5eK AT1I'ORNEY Patented Aug. 16, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT; OFFICE JAKE? C. IASEK, OF IRWIN, PENNSYLVANIA, A'SSIGNOB TO WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING OOHPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA THEATER SWITOB'BOABD APPARATUS Application fled Iovember 2, 1827. Serial No. 280,522.

My invention relates to theater-switchboard apparatus and particularly to switchboard apparatus of the multi-scene, pre-set, variable-lighting type wherein the llghting 5 effects for a plurality of scenes may be preselected and selectively operated. V

In my copending application, Serial No. 131,303, filed August 24, 1926, I have disclosed theater-switchboard apparatus of the 10 multi-scene, pre-set, variable-lighting type,

in which rotary drums are employed for controlling the lighting circuits, the drums being mounted upon a drawer frame that is inserted in openings in a switchboard panel. The

15 drums are mounted with their axes normal to the front face 'of the panel.

It is an object my invention to provide a theater-switchboard apparatus that functions somewhat similar to the apparatus dis- 23 closed in the above-noted application wherein a rotary drum is mounted upon a drawer frame, with its axis of rotation parallel with the front face of the panel and wherein the edge of the drum, which carries the adjusting device, extends through an opening in the switchboard panel or through an opening in the panel associated with the drawer upon which the drum is mounted. By reason of this arrangement, lateral space is conserved,

6 thus enabling the placing of a large number of control units upon a relatively short switchboard. Y

A further object of my invention is to provide a theater-switchboard-control apparatus, having the above-noted characteristics, wherein the space economy is effected by a simplification of construction.

A further object of my invention is to provide a theater-switchboard-control apparatus wherein a plurality of lighting circuits may be pro-set to produce pre-selected lighting effects and wherein any desired lighting effect may be produced without disturbing the arrangement of the pre-set apparatus.

These and other objects, that will be made apparent throughout a further description of my invention, are attained by means of the apparatus hereinafter described and illus- 66 trated in the accompanying drawings, where- Figure 1 is a partial top-plan view and partial horizontal section of the apparatus embodying features of my invention,

Fig. 2 is a side-elevational view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, a supporting brac et being removed,

Fig. 3 is a side-elevational view of the apparatus viewed from the side opposite that shown in Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of'the inner side of a supporting bracket looking outward from the line IVIV of Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic elevational view of fragments of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4,

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of a fragment of a switchboard assembly embodying the features of my invention, and

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view, in perspective, of the apparatus illustrating the wiring connections for a lighting circuit.

Referring to the drawings, the switchboard structure shown in Fig. 3 is a fabricated metal frame structure 7 having vertical supports 8 and horizontal supports 9 upon which metal drawer frames ll-may be mounted in side-by-side relation, the space between supports 9 being closed by sheet-metal panels 12 that are provided with openings 13 through which the circuit-controlling mechanism isaccessible, for the purpose of adjustment.

Each metal drawer frame 11 carries the control apparatus for an individual circuit, and it will be understood that, when the drawer frame is in operative position, all necessary circuit connections are made with the circuit conductors in the manner disclosed in the above-noted copending application. The control units are interchangeable and, in the event of failure of a part thereof, a similar control unit may be put in its place without necessitating serious interruption of the lighting service.

Each control unit is provided with a control rheostat 14, (Fig. 2), the rheostat being mounted upon a part of the drawer frame 11. The rheostat controls the direct-current control circuit of a reactor 10 (Fig. 7), that serves to vary the voltage of the lighting circuit in response to variations in the re- I00 sistance of the rheostat. The rheostat is relatively small and requires very little energy to operate it.

Each control unit is provided with a rotary drum 15 that is mounted for rotation upon a shaft 16, carried by tne drawer frame 11.

The periphery of the drum is provided with interchangeable links 24 that are pivoted to one anotherby means of pins 25, each of which is mounted upon an adjustable bracket 26 having individual adjustability toward and away from the web '22, that is, in the u direction of the axis of the drum.

Each bracket 26 is provided with an integral shaft 27 that is slidably mounted within a bore 28 in the web 22, and the shaft is provided with a helical peripheral groove 29,

' the purpose of which will hereinafter appear. The cam brackets 26 are adjusted to desired positions, within the limit of movement thereof, by means of thumbwheels 31 that are knurled at their edges to facilitates. turning movement of the screw by means of the thumb and finger. The thumb-wheels are rotatably mounted upon the shaft 27 of the brackets 26 and are provided with pins 32 that engage the helical slots 29. Longi- 0 tudinal movement of the thumb-wheels is prevented by the web 22 on one side and an annular flan ed drum 33 that constitutes a part of the um and is attached to the web 22. The drum 33 carries guide pins 34 which extend through perforations 35 in the bracket 26. Pins 34 serve to prevent rotation of the bracket and also serve as guides for the brackets.

By turning the thumb-wheels 31, the shafts 27 are displaced longitudinally, and the positions of the cam links 23 varied, the ositions thereof determining the position of t e brush arm 36 of the rheostat 14 and, consequently,

the voltage ofthe lighting circuit. The

thumb-whee1s are yieldingly retained in defiinite positions by means of spring pressed balls 20 that engage spherical depressions 20" iln thi side'faces of the wheels, as shown in 0 operating connection between the adjustable cam 23 and the rheostat 14 comprises a rotary shaft 37 that is mounted forrotation-in a bracket 38 which is secured to the drawer frame 11. The front or left end of the shaft is provided with a follower crank ually in order to determine the degree of arm 39 having a roller 30 journalled thereon, which engages the cam links 24 and imparts rotary movement-to the shaft 37 when the drum 15 is rotated. The follower cam is yieldingly pressed into operative relation to the cam by means of a spring 50 that is wound upon the hub of the clutch 40 and secured at its respective ends to the clutch and 'the frame 11.

The clutch member 40 is provided with a pinion 41, and is rotatably mounted upon the shaft-.37, the pinion 41 meshing with'the toothed-gear rack 42, having teeth 42' on two adjacent sides. The rack 42 is mounted for vertical movement adjacent to one of the brackets 38, and the teeth of one face thereof, mesh with a gear-segment 43 that is pivoted for rotation about a pin 44 mounted on the drawer frame 11. The gear segment is provided with an operating lever 45, whereby the rack 42 may be operated manually to impart rotary movement to the shaft 37, when desired. t

The gear-segment 43 is provided also with a lever arm 46 to which a connecting rod 47 is pivoted, the rod 47 being pivotally connected to a connecting rod 48 that is attached to a rack 49 which meshes with a pinion 51 connected to the rheostat brush arm 36. A movement of the crank arm 46 imparts rotary movement to the brush arm 36 and causes variations of the resistance' in the control circuit.

By reason of the apparatus described, it will be apparent that, as the drum 15 is rotated counter-clockwise, (Fig. 2) the roller 30, moving over the angularly disposed cam links 24, imparts movement to the gear-segment 43 and, consequently, to the brush arm 36 of the rheostat 14. It will be understood that, in the case of a ten-scene switchboard,

twenty links 24 are provided, that is, two for each scene. One of the links determines the degree of movement of the rheostat brush arm 36 during movement of the drum 15 through one-twentieth of a revolution or the movement of the drum during a particular scene. The other link assigned to a scenc'r's provided for causin the rheostat brush arm 36 to be moved to t e position it should occupy at the beginning of the next succeeding scene. Hereinafter, the first mentioned lin will be referred to as the scene link and the other link as the change link.

When the apparatus is being set up fog. producing a selected lighting effect for a scene, itis desirable that the operator be enabled to manipulate the rheostat 14 manillumination that should be used at a prede- 125 termined time or during a selected scene. In

order to permit .of operation of the rheostat arm, it is necessary to disengage the inion 41 and the'shaft 37. The clutch mem r 40 is provided with a notch 52 of V-shape which receives a correspondingly shaped clutch block 53 that is carried by a clutch collar 54 that is splined to the shaft 37. A clutch yoke 55 partially surrounds the collar 54 and is provided with pins 56 which engagethe annular groove 57 in the clutch collar 54. The yoke is attached to an operating arm 58 that is slidably connected to the arm 45 of the gear-segment 43, the arms 58 and 45 having a slot-and-pin connection, the pins 59 in the arm 58 being adapted to slide in slots 60 in the arm 45, as indicated in Fig. 4.

In order to disengage the clutch connecting the pinion 41 and the shaft 37, the arm 58- is pulled outwardly, thus withdrawing the clutch block 53 a sufiicient distance from the clutch member 40 to permit of rotary movement of the pinion 41 Without effecting movement of the shaft 37. The rheostat brush 36 may then be manually operated through the medium of the arm 45, independently of the shaft 37 that is actuated by the cam 23.

It is an object of my invention to provide a control apparatus for theater-lighting circuits wherein the illumination may be turned on or oil at predetermined times during a scene and wherein the intensity of the illumination may be varied to any predetermined degree as the scene progresses and wherein the lighting efiect of one scene may be re tained in a predetermined state while the apparatus is being adjusted to a position in which it will effect the lighting for any selected scene or lighting effect... To accomplish the turning oil and on of a lighting circuit at predetermined intervals, a normallyopen control switch 61 (Figs. 3 and 7) and a normally-closed control switch 62 are provided, which are mounted upon the drawer frame 11.

The switch 61 comprises a stationary contact 63 and a contact arm 64 pivotally mounted upon a pin 65, the outer end of the arm being provided with a pivoted roller 66. The switch arm 64 is normally retained in open position by means of a spring 67 that is disposed between" the arm 64 and a fixed lug 68. The normally closed switch 62 is similar in construction to the switch 61 except that the spring 67 serves to normally retain the switch in closed position, as indicated in Fig. 3.

The switches are operated by means of drum 15. The threaded portions 74 are provided with pins 76 which fit within notches 7 7 provided in knurled adjusting knobs 7 8 that 74 of the studs 72 and 73.

are slidably mounted on the threaded portion The knobs 78 are retained in adjusting positions by threaded thumb nuts 79. By loosening the thumb nuts 79, the studs 72 and 73 are loosened with respect to the drum 15, and the studs may be moved along the slots 75 to any desired position. It will be understood that a pair of of the studs. Each stud may be rotated about its axis by first loosening the thumb nuts 79 and turning the knobs 78. Thus, the finger 69 or the finger 7 lot the studs may be made to engage either one of the switches 61 and 62, depending upon the position of the fingers that engage the rollers thereof.

As indicated in Fig. '3, the finger 71 is holding the normally-closed switch 62 open, and the finger 69 is about to close the normally-open switch. By adjusting the studs 72 and 73 in the slots 75 and by disposing the fingers in the proper relation to the switches 61 and 62, it is possible, if the lighting circuit is closed at the beginning of a scene, to openthe lighting circuit at a; predetermined time during the scene and to again The studs 72 and 73 are retained in their yieldingly adjustable positionsby means of a metal spring ring 81 that is yieldingly pressed into engagement with the fiat sides of the studs by means of springs 82 mounted on pins 83 and secured to the web 22 of the drum 15. The

spring ring serves to retain the studs in proper adjusted positions while the thumb nuts 79 are being tightened and also to prevent displacement of the studs. By turning the studs through 90, the fingers 69 and 71 may be so positioned that they will not engage and operate the switches. 61 and 62, should such operation be desired. It will be understood that the knobs 78 are provided with markings that indicate the relative position of the fingers 69 and 71.

In the apparatus disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 131,303, the intensity of illumination is maintained constant, when desired, by temporarily arresting movement of a drum which carries the adjustable cam, the driven drum. however, continuing to rotate. which the movement of the inner drum carrying the adjustable cam may be arrested Adjustable means are provided by and started at predetermined times during the scene.

In the present apparatus the intensity of illumination is maintained constant at a predetermined time by disengaging the clutch 40 from the shaft 37. The voltage of the circuit will, therefore, be maintained constant because the rheostat brush arm 36 will not be affected by the movement of the crank arm 39. When the clutch is re-engaged, the crank arm 39 will move the rheostat arm to a position determined by the adjustable cam.

The clutch is disengaged and re-engaged at predetermined times by means of apparatus disclosed in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 7. A sliding plate is mounted upon guide pins 86 that are secured to the frame 11, the plate being provided with an extension 84 that is iv otally connected to the clutch yoke 55. he plate is adapted to be reciprocated in a horizontal plane by means of a pair of parallel levers 87 and 88 that are mounted on pivot shafts 89 and 91, respectively, which are secured to the frame 11. Adjustable studs 92 and 93, similar to the studs 73, are mounted for movement in slots 94 in the periphery of the drum 15.

The studs severally comprise a square shaft having a threaded rtion 95 upon which thumb-nuts 96 and 9 are mounted, the nuts being similar to those mounted on the studs 73 and being for the same purpose, that is, for retaining the studs in adjusted position in the slots 94.- The square portions of the studs 92 and 93 are provided with pins 90 and 98, respectively (Fig. 5) and areadapted to engage rollers 99 and 101 on the free ends of the levers 87 and 88, respectively, as the drum 15 carries the studs past the levers 87 and 88. e

The lower ends of the levers 87 and 88 are provided with slots 102 that engage pins 103 gaged.

It will be noted that the studs 92 and 93 are provided with pins 104 and 105, respectively, which will operate the levers 88 and 87, respectively, when the studs are turned to 90 from the positions shown in Fig. 5. By reason of this arrangement of the pins, either stud may be positioned to actuate either of the levers 87 and 88. If the clutch of certain types of performances, to shift from the setting for producing a preset lighting effect to another preselected setting, while retaining the first effect. In the event that it is desired to change from the illumination 'eifect the condition of the lighting circuit.

To accomplish this, a normally open switch 106, (Figs. 4 and 7) and a normally closed switch 107 (Figs. 4 and 7) are provided in the 'control circuit to serve to maintain-the circuit condition prevailing at the time the clutch member 40 is disengaged from the shaft 37.

The switches 106 and 107 are pivoted to a plate 108 secured to the frame 11 and comprise switch arms 109 and 111, respectively, that are pivoted to shafts 112 and 113, respectively. The shafts are secured to the plate 108. Rollers 114 and 115 on the switch arms normally engage the lower edge of the sliding plate 85 that is provided with cams and 117. When the plate is moved outwardly in response to disengagement of the clutch 40, the rollers 114 and are depressed, causing the normally open switch 106 to be closed and the normally closed switch 107 to be opened.

At such time, the switches 61 and 62 are rendered electrically inoperative to influence the coil of the relay 116.

It will be understood that, with the exception of the addition of switches 106 and 107, each lighting circuit is substantially the same as that described in thesaid copending application, Serial No. 131,303, wherein the lamps of the electrical circuit are supplied with current from alternating current feed conductors 118 and 119, the current passing through the outside coils of the reactor 10 and through contacts 121 and 122 of the relay 116. The voltage of the lighting circuit is controlled by current from direct-current feed conductors 123 and 124, the current passing through the brush arm 36 and resistance element of the rheostat 14 and through a coil 125 that surrounds the center leg of the reactor 10.

The relay 116 is controlled by the normally open switch 61 and the normally closed switch 62 that are connected in the circuit of the coil of the relay 116, which is supplied with energy from the direct-current feed conductors 123 and 124. The circuit connections of the switches 61 and 62 are such that, when the normally open switch 61 is closed momentarily, by the contact fingers 69, the relay.

116 is energized and is held in energized or closed condition by currentfiowing through the coil thereof and the normally closed switch 62. The relay is subsequently opened by momentarily opening the normally closed switch 62 by engagement therewith of the contact'fingers 71 adjustably secured to the drum 15. By reason of the control switches 61 and 62, the lighting circuit may be energized and de-cnergized at predetermined times during the scene, depending upon the adjustment of the fingers 69 and 71.

' The normally open switch 106 and the normally closed switch 107 are so connected to the switches 61 and 62 that, when their positions are reversed, by reason of the disengagement of the clutch 40 from the shaft 37, and movement of'the plate 85, they render the switches 61 and 62 electrically inoperative to influence the coil of the relay 116, the switch 106 being connected in parallel with the switch 62, and the switch 107 being connected in series with the switch 61.

' The circuit which would normally be completedby closing the switch 61, is interrupted at the switch 107 and, therefore, the operation of the switch 61 does not effect the control circuit of the relay .116. Since the normally open switch 106 is connected in parallel with the normally closed switch 62 and since, at this time, the switch 106 isclosed, the switch 62 may be moved to open position without efifectin any change in the control circuit of the relay 116.

If the control circuit is closed through the 'relay 116 at the time the clutch member is disengaged, it will remain closed, regardless of the operation of the switch 62, by the control finger 71 .on the drum 15. If the circuit is open, it will remain open, regardless of the operation of the normally open switch 61,

by the control finger 69.

By reason of tthe swichboard apparatus above described, the switchboard may be prearranged to produce differentand variable lighting effects for a plurality of scenes, and to cause any circuit to be energized to any degree within the voltage limits at any predetermined time and for any predetermined length of time during a scene, and it is possible to follow one lighting efiect with any selected pre-set lighting effect without efiecting a' change ofthe circuit condition during the interval in which the apparatus is actuated to prepare it for the production of the selected effect. 7

The pinions 18 on the master drive shaft 19 are connected thereto by means of clutches 126 which may be operated from the front face of the panel drawer containing each control unit and, by disengaging the clutch 126, the drums 15 may be rotated independently of one another for the purpose of individually manipulating the control. apparatus for an. individual circuit. This is desirable durin rehearsals or at the time experiments are being conducted to determine a desired lighting efiect.

modifications, substitutions, additions and omissions may be made in the apparatus illustrated without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. Current-control mechanism comprising a. rotary cylindrical drum, a rheost-at, means on the drum for effecting operation of the rheostat when the drum is rotated and means accessible from the outer cylindrical face of the drum for adjusting the said means.

2. Current-control mechanism comprising a rotary cylindrical drum, a current-controlling device, means on the drum foreflecting operation of the said device when the drum is rotated and means accessible from the outer cylindrical face of the drum for adjusting the said means.-

3. Current-control mechanism comprising a switchboard having an opening therein, a cylindrical drum mounted thereon for rotation. and having its cylindrical face extending through the said opening, a current-controlling device, means on the drum for offecting operation of the device when the drum is rotated, and means accessible from the outer cylindrical face of the drum and through the said opening for adjusting the said means.

4. Current-controlling mechanism comprising a relay for controlling a circuit, a pair of momentary contact switches for controlling the relay, a continuously movable member for actuating the contact switches at predetermined intervals, :1 current-controlling device, a releasable connection between the said device and the movable member and means for actuating the releasable member, and means associated with the releasable member .for rendering the said contact switches inoperative when the said connection is in a predetermined position.

5. The combination with a plurality of current-controlling devices and a continuously moving member, of pre-settable means having a part continuously operating and actuated by the said member for efl'ecting operation of the said devices at predetermined in tervals while the member is moving, and means for selectively rendering the said means ineffective to effect operation of a selected device.

6. The combination with a current-controlling device and a continuously moving member, of a re-settable means havienf a part continuous y operating and actuat by 5 the said member for effecting operation of the said device at predetermined intervals, a clutch connecting the device and the said means, and means for actuating the clutch to render the said means ineffective to effect operation of the said device.

7. Control apparatus comprising a plurality of current-responsive current-controlling devices, control switches for each of the devices, pre-settable means for actuating the switches at predetermined times and in predetermined sequence and means for selectively rendering the said switches, althou h operated, ineifective to affect a selected evice.

8. Control apparatus comprising a plurality of current-responsive current-controlling devices control switches for the devices, presettable means for actuating the switches at predetermined times and in predetermined sequence and switches for selectively render- 95 iltiig the said switches, althou h operated, in-

e ective to aflect a selected device.

9. Control apparatus comprising an-electric circuit, a current-responsive controlling device therefor, control switches for the de- 30 vice, pre-settable means for actuating the switches at predetermined times and in predetermined sequence, pre-settable means for controlling the energy of the circuit, means for arresting operation of the energy-controlling means at predetermined times, and means actuated by the last said means for rendering the first said switches inefi'ective to affect the said device.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto sub- 40 scribed my name this 7th day of October JAMES C. MASEK. 

